Hundred and Thirty-six Bougainvilleans have been sent to Australia and New Zealand through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility and New Zealand Recognised Seasonal Employer schemes so far.
Labour mobility is central to Australia and New Zealand’s commitment to build a stronger Pacific family.
These schemes provides opportunity for Bougainvilleans to travel to Australia and New Zealand for work, send money home to their families and learn new skills to strengthen Bougainville’s economic development.
This also enables businesses from Australia and New Zealand to employ productive and reliable Bougainvilleans to fill a range of important jobs.
Labour mobility is central to Australia and New Zealand’s commitment to build a stronger Pacific family.
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB) Recruitment Hub is one of the recruitment hubs in Papua New Guinea (PNG) implemented by the Papua New Guinea Labor Mobility Unit (PNGLMU).
Since its establishment in 2022, the ARoB Recruitment Hub has operated under a special arrangement with the Australia and New Zealand-funded Bougainville Partnership program, in collaboration with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG).
While currently managed by Bougainville Partnership, the Hub will transition into an ABG-operated unit in the future.
Recently, a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with the ABG’s Department of Commerce, Trade, Industry and Economic Development (DCTIED),and the Regional Member for Bougainville, the Honourable Peter Tsiamalili Jnr to extend the collaboration.
This agreement alone represents a significant milestone in the transition process and the ongoing collaboration between the ABG, the Honourable Peter Tsiamalili Jnr, and the Governments of Australia and New Zealand to work closely together to increase the number of Bougainvilleans participating in the schemes.
As part of the MOU and to ensure sufficient resources for the program, the Office of the Regional Member has committed to contribute PGK 1,000,000 and the ABG a further PGK 600,000.
These contributions will help leverage the funding currently being provided by the governments of Australia and New Zealand and support the sustainability of the program.
The program has already demonstrated its positive impact in local communities.
One of the returned workers, Mr Dean Magihe from Buka District, recently used the money he earned to renovate his local church and school.
He also used his earnings to start his own rental property business.
“My participation in the Labour Mobility Program has not only benefited me personally but has also enabled me to give back to my community in meaningful ways,” said Mr Magihe.
Contribution to communities and the establishment of local businesses through the remittances of workers is continuing to improve the economic development of ARoB.
This further demonstrates Australia and New Zealand’s commitment to supporting young people with skills and opportunities throughout the region.
